Mr Leslie Williams

Who was Leslie Williams?

Leslie Williams was a 24 (twenty-four) year old Welsh professional boxer who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born in Tonypandy, Glamorgan, Wales in 1888, Williams was a promising bantamweight fighter traveling to the United States to pursue his boxing career when disaster struck.

Early Life and Background

A Welsh Upbringing

Leslie Williams was born in the summer of 1888 in Tonypandy, a town in the Rhondda Valley of Wales. He was one of eight children born to Lewis Williams and Elizabeth Davies. Growing up in a large family, Leslie experienced the typical Welsh working-class life of the late 19th century.

From Apprentice to Boxer

By the age of 12, Leslie had already left school and was working as an apprentice boilermaker. This early entry into the workforce was common for boys in Welsh mining communities at the time. However, Leslie’s true passion lay in the boxing ring. He developed his skills as a bantamweight boxer, weighing in at 122 lbs, and gained a reputation as a promising fighter in Wales.

The Journey to America

Why was Leslie Williams on the Titanic?

Leslie Williams boarded the Titanic with a clear goal in mind - to advance his boxing career in the United States. He had secured a contract for a series of boxing contests in America, a significant opportunity for a young Welsh boxer.

Titanic Voyage Details

• Class: Third Class
• Ticket Number: 54636
• Fare: £16 2s
• Port of Embarkation: Southampton

Leslie was not traveling alone. He was accompanied by fellow Rhondda boxer David John ‘Dai’ Bowen, though Williams was considered the more well-known of the two. Originally, they had planned to travel aboard the Baltic, but changed their plans to receive new suits they were having tailored.

Fate During the Disaster

The Tragic Night of April 14-15, 1912

Like many third-class passengers, Leslie Williams did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. The exact circumstances of his final moments are unknown, but it’s likely he faced significant obstacles in reaching the lifeboats due to his third-class status.

Recovery and Identification

Leslie Williams’ body was recovered by the Mackay Bennett, designated as body number 14. The description of his remains provides a poignant snapshot of the young boxer:

NO. 14. - MALE. - ESTIMATED AGE. 28. - HAIR, FAIR. CLOTHING- Green overcoat; blue serge suit; red striped shirt; two scarves. EFFECTS- Two pocket books; two gold rings; one pair silver cuff links; ticket; Papers; knife; etc.; £3 10s; and $30 in gold; £2 6s, 6d. in silver and copper Coins.

His body was buried at sea on April 22, 1912, a common practice due to the limited storage capacity on the recovery ships.

Legacy and Impact

A Family Left Behind

At the time of the sinking, Leslie’s wife Lillie was pregnant with their second child. She gave birth to a son, Harold Charles, on July 25, 1912, just over three months after the disaster. This posthumous birth added a bittersweet note to the family’s tragedy.

The Williams Family After the Titanic

• Lillie Williams remarried in 1915 to Daniel Winter, a coal miner
• She had several more children and lived until September 27, 1981, passing away at the age of 90
• Leslie’s first son, Leslie James, followed his father into the dangerous profession of coal mining
• Tragically, Leslie James died at age 54 in the Cambrian Colliery disaster on May 17, 1965
• Harold Charles, the posthumous son, lived until November 13, 1971

Remembering Leslie Williams

The story of Leslie Williams serves as a poignant reminder of the many lives lost in third class during the Titanic disaster. His journey from a Welsh mining town to pursuing his dreams as a boxer in America, only to have those dreams cut short, encapsulates the tragedy that befell so many hopeful immigrants aboard the Titanic.

Today, Leslie Williams is remembered not only as a victim of one of the most famous maritime disasters in history but also as a representation of the working-class athletes who sought to make better lives for themselves and their families through sport in the early 20th century.